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Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth - II
Buddhist Gompa's
Earlier Bharat Bhai had suggested that we visit Gyangdrag, Nyari and Serlung Gompa. We visited these Gompas a couple of times- checked and discussed with local Lamas- went up the mountains- no confirmatory evidence or physical evidence was found. These are all Buddhist temples thousand to fifteen hundred years old constructed after 7th Century when Buddhism was introduced in Tibet much later after Jainism.
Due to weather, one could not reach the Nandi top on the last day. However the climbers and photographer managed to go nearby and get some pictures. Caves in Mount Kailash cannot be reached and hence no information is available. A small hole on cave or Gokhala (Gavax) in one of the other mountain opposite Chuksum Gompa was reached and nothing could be found. It was just natural formation. No statue was detected (see report on 7th of June at Nyari or Chuksum Gompa). Regarding Namaskar sign on the left of Ghengh la Gompa, one could not see or confirm any.
In general, our main aim to go to Lhasa was to find any reference to Shri Rushabhdev, Aadinath, Ashtapad, Nirgranth- Shraman and Jainism in Tibetan literature. We visited different monasteries and met various Lamas. Basically they did not know about Shri Rushabhdev, Nirgranth, Ashtapad and Jainism. They could not give us any reference to Tibetan literature. Mostly they discussed about Buddhism, which was introduced in Tibet in 7th century. Previous to that they did not know anything with reference to old religion. Our aim was to go back in history for at least 2000 to 3000 years.
Location
In the Kailash area there are four or five different locations, which are believed to be Ashtapad. Some believe that Kailash itself is Ashtapad- the other places are Nandi Parvat, Gyangdrag Gompa, Moksh Dwar (Chuksum Gompa) and to some the whole region is Ashtapad with eight mountain peaks. Now satellite pictures suggest another possible Ashtapad site at Dharma King Norsang.
Due to lack of any physical evidence it is difficult to say what the truth is and which is the exact location. All the travel agents talk and take you to a different place for Ashtapad.
Nature
Thousands of years ago people worshipped nature, sun, wind, earth, rain and other things in nature. They treated them as god if one goes to Japan, China, oriental countries and India. As we learned more- as time progresses now we have started understanding the nature, sun, moon, rain, earth, wind, etc. As civilization grew religion started coming up and accepted natural powers as God in the beginning. Now everything is being evaluated on scientific basis as well.
In Kailash Mansarovar area when one travels, we see the snow-capped mountains, (snow melts on lower mountains during summer time), streams (as snow melts) rivers, lakes (two big lakes- Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal), plain (valley is called Barkha or plains), very little grass, no trees, few animals and birds - all that one sees and finds is just nature- Mountains,
Field Trip I - Summary Report
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